The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-08-13
THE HABITS OF BEES.
A Study OF the Family Life OF the Queer
aud Har Suhlecta.


A Study OF the Family Life Of the Queen
ana Her Subjects.
A description Of the cells in honey
comb would involve the use OF techni-
calities hardly suited to such notes as
these. Scientists have made the archi-
lecture of the cells a subject of profound
research, and some of the problems
solved are as interesting as any to be
found in mathematics. A study of a
piece of comb will reveal unexpected
wonders and intensity the respect for
! the marvellous architects that planned
and the builders that constructed it.
The cells being constructed the queen
is ready to begin laying eggs. The
cells are Of different sizes and shapes TO
suit the character of the future inmates.
Those intended for the working bee are
the smallest. The drones have little
larger cell, and the queen-bee eggs are
each given royal apartment fully one
inch high by one-third Of an inch wide.
The queen never makes the mistake of
depositing an egg in cell not intended
for it. Each egg goes in its proper
cell and workers are detailed to care
for them. For three days no attention
| is needed save that the eggs must be
kept warm, and this tho nurses make
sure of by grouping themselves around
the comb in which the cells are placed.
At the end of the third day the egg has
developed small white worm which is
| at, is to kor <,f
this worm. 1t is fed with pollen and
honey, and the greatest solicitude is
shown for it's welfare. In five or six
days it has grown to such size that it
nearly fills the cell and it ceases to
eat. Its nurses then seal up the mouth
of the cell with wax and for
thirty-six hours the larva devotes itself
to spinning a cocoon. Three days later
it becomes pupa, and every part of
the future bee can be seen through the
transparent covering. Inside of a
week, or twenty-one days from the
time the egg is laid, perfect bee steps
forth. Its nurses gather around twith
every appearance of joy, caressing it
with their tongues and feeding it liber-
ally. For few days it remains in the
hive, acting as nurse. and then it be-
gins its work as honey gatherer.
But if the egg is destined to become
q queen something of the pomp and cir
cumstances which surrounds the birth
of human ruler invests it's progress
toward the royal bee. 1t is fed pecu-
liar jelly which seems to have the re-
markable property of converting a
worker egg into queen if desired 1t
sometimes happens that demand
arises in the hives for more queens than
are Matching in the queen cells. In
such a case the nurses. break down the
walls surrounding a young worker egg,
or larva, enlarge the cell to royal di-
mensions, feed the stimulating jelly to
the occupant, and queen is produced.
A queen is born sixteen days from the
day the egg is laid, but she is not al
ways permitted to come out from her
cell. The old queen hates her young
rivals so bitterly that should they be
permitted to come within her reach
she would instantly kill them. Indeed,
she has to be prevented from attacking
them in their cells, and the resistance
thus opposed is the only symptoms OF
insubordination to the queen even
shown that ruler.
The nurses live in hopes that the old
queen will swarm, wnich is to lead part
of the colony out of the hive TO new
home. and as long as there is any pros
pect of her doing so they will protect
the young queens. Should the queen
mother leave the hive for good the
young queens are liberated one by one
a few days apart in order to prevent
them destroying one another. Should
two get cut at the same time they i'm.
medlately fight until one is killed. when
the other becomes ruler of the hive.
Such combats meet with no opposition,
the members of the colony standing by
and watching the struggle with in
tense interest. The first use the vic.
tor makes of her power is to kill off all
her sister queens in their cells. 1t is a
curious fact that when two sister queens
fighting for The crown get into such a
position that each has the power to kill
the other they at once retreat. Patriot
ism is greater than natural hostility,
and neither is willing to leave the
colony without queen.
Late in the season, when the time for
swarming is past, it happens sometimes
that new queens are Matched. The
workers then realize that the old queen
must remain with them for the winter
and offer the young queens no protec.
ton. The fury of the old queen meets
with no obstacle as she transfiXes one
by one in their cells with her sting her
hated rivals. Chicago Tribune.